Testing a model of family caregivers' perceptions of elder behavior two weeks posthospitalization on caregiver response and health.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of family caregivers' perceptions of elders' behaviors on caregiver burden and health while controlling for other factors often associated with burden. The model tested included the following concepts: elders' health, caregivers' perceptions of elder behaviors, caregiving involvement, coping, discrepancy in social support, caregiver response and caregiver health. Data for the analyses were obtained from a longitudinal study of 346 elder/caregiver dyads in which the elders had been hospitalized for acute episodes of chronic conditions. The sample for these analyses consisted of a subset of 118 dyads from the longitudinal project. A structural equation approach using the computer software Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) was used in analyzing the data. The findings indicated that the data fit reasonably well with some of the general patterns hypothesized in the model; the Goodness of Fit Index was 0.85 and the Tucker-Lewis Fit index, .88. More important than overall fit were specific relationships. Caregivers' perception of elders' behaviors was directly linked with caregiving response two weeks postdischarge; caregiver response directly linked with caregiver health at two weeks postdischarge but not at two months postdischarge. The findings provide support for Lazarus and Folkman's theory that appraisal of the situation influences response.
Bull
M J
MJ
University of Maryland School of Nursing, USA.
Maruyama
G
G
Luo
D
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001519:Behavior; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D014481:United States